DAVIS, Calif. -
UC Davis baseball coach Rex Peters announced today that former Aggie great Tony Schifano will join the coaching staff for the upcoming 2008 season. Schifano returns to UC Davis after a 10-year professional career and four seasons as the assistant coach at Los Gatos High School.

"Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program," said Peters. "Having played professionally for many years at a high level, he knows the game and what it takes to be successful at it. Also, being a former Aggie himself, he knows the type of student-athlete who is the right fit for our program. His knowledge of UC Davis and his baseball experience will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff."

Schifano's primary duties will include coaching the infielders and serving as the third base coach during games. He will also assist with baserunning, hitting and recruiting.

During his time at Los Gatos, the team accumulated 90 wins over four seasons and won a Central Coast Section title in 2006.

Schifano signed as an undrafted free agent with the Florida Marlins in 1997 and worked his way through the minor league system until making it to the Triple-A level with the Houston Astros in 2001. He also played professionally with the independent Central League and Northern League. In 2000, Schifano was a member of Team USA in the Panama Cup.

Schifano enjoyed a stellar collegiate career with the Aggies from 1994-97. During that time he was a three-time All-Northern California Athletic Conference First Team selection. He was a member of the 1995 team that won a regional championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II College World Series under legendary Aggie coach Phil Swimley. He was also a member of the 1994 squad that won the final NCAC championship for UC Davis.

When he graduated in 1997, Schifano held the career record for hits (214) and was second in games played (194) and at bats (678). He continues to remain in the top five in those three categories and is also on the all-time list in runs (135) and triples (12). He still holds the single season record for most chances without an error (103).

UC Davis enters its first official season as an NCAA Division I and Big West Conference member in 2008.